Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-05-27


a sudden | saw her leap up, with "A
great cry, an clap her hands an call
out something. Then there was a
confused sort of shout, rs il every one
in the crowd was saying the same
thing at the same time, an then Mast
er Philip. making a sign to silence
them, put his two hands up to his
mouth an sang out in voice that
came up to me above the noise OF the
wind:
Take off your stocking and ravcl it;
the thread will reach the ground.
At first didn't understand him, being
dazed ike, but then the meaning came
on me like message from heaven. ]
got off on one of my socks with some
troublc-ni &c new ones they were. too.
of Katie's own knitting that she had
given me for Christmas box-an'
with the help of my teeth ! loosened
one end OF the thread. 1t gave readily
enough after that. an when | had a
good piece of it ripped. l tied my knife
to make 1t heavy. an let it drop. rip
ping more an more of the sock as 1t
went down. Then felt it stop, and
presently there came shout. telling me
to wind it up again. Very slowly and
carefully | did il, fearing the string
would break, an when the last bit of
1t came up, there was piece of strong
] 81 90
in its turn brought the rope had gone
up by, an then felt that I was safe.
| managed somehow to put it through
the pulley, an as soon as they had
fastened the other end To the windlass
/ below, they gave me the word to come
/ down. / was so numb an stiff that |
could not fix myself on the plank, but
managed somehow TO cling 10 the
/ ropes with my hands. Down, down
came, every turn of the windlass
making the voices below seem nearer
an nearer, an when | was within a
/ few feet of the ground. there was a
| dozen pairs OF arms ready TO catch me,
an hundred voices to welcome me-
An there was my father waiting for
me, an Master Philip saying: But for
! the girl he'd have been up there still
| Not one of the rest of us would have
thought of the stocking; twas the
brightest idea I've come across this
many day. She has saved his life,
Forde, and you can't refuse your con-
sent any longer" But when | looked
around for Kate she was nowhere to be
seen. She must have slipped off as
soon az she saw | was safe.
Master Philip hurried my father an
me away. | didn't quite know where
| was so dazed, but in m mute or two
| found myself in a warm lighted din
ing room at the masters house, an
Master Philip pouring out glass of
brandy for me. an shaking hands with
my father. | was glad to get the
brandy, for was worn out with fright
and cold; but as soon as | could | made
nv escape. an went down to Katie :
cottage. | hadn't been there five
minutes when there was knock at the
door, an in walks my father. He went
straigt up to Katie, holding out his
hand
Katie, my girl, he said, i've
come to ask your pardon for anything
I've said or done against you; an if
You an Jim are still of the same mind.
| won hinder YOU from marrying. lis
you have the best right to him, for you
saved his life"
"An' It's proud an glad am that l
was able to do that same Mr.. Forde,
said Katie.
IAN you'll marry him, won't you
my dear?"
"lf YOU are satisfied. sill"
r al am, my dear, quite satisfied" and
with that he kissed her an from that
day to this he and Kate have been
the best of friends. He lived with us
for the last year or so, for he was get
ting little past his work. an the
master pensioned him of. He is very
happy with us, an he is never tired of
telling the children the story of the
way that Their mothers cleverness
saved my life. CasseUS